AI in Assessment Example: Level 2

Research Proposal (Sociology, 300-level)

At this “AI Planning” level of the five-level AI Assessment Scale (Perkins, et al., 2024) students may use Al for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of Al for planning, synthesis, and ideation, but assessments should emphasize the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently.

Course: SOC 320 – Research Methods in Sociology

Assignment Title: Developing a Research Proposal on a Contemporary Social Issue Using AI Planning

Due Date: [Insert Due Date]

Assignment Overview:
In this assignment, you will develop a research proposal focused on a contemporary social issue, with AI tools assisting in brainstorming research questions and structuring the proposal. AI will help you organize your thoughts and create a coherent research framework, but you will be responsible for refining and expanding these ideas to develop a comprehensive and well-supported proposal. This assignment emphasizes the role of AI in the initial planning stages, guiding you in structuring your research while ensuring that the final proposal reflects your critical thinking and understanding of the issue.

Objectives:

To develop a well-structured research proposal on a contemporary social issue, using AI tools to assist with brainstorming and organization.
To refine AI-generated ideas and structure to create a coherent and comprehensive research framework.
To reflect on how AI assisted in the planning process and how you independently refined and expanded those ideas.

Instructions:

Topic Selection and Initial Exploration:
- Select a contemporary social issue that you are interested in researching. This issue should be relevant to current societal challenges and have enough depth to support a detailed research proposal.
- Conduct preliminary research on the topic to gather background information, identify key debates, and understand the broader context of the issue.
AI-Assisted Brainstorming and Structuring:
- Use AI tools to assist in brainstorming potential research questions related to your chosen social issue. AI can help generate a variety of questions, explore different angles, and suggest relevant theoretical frameworks.
- Allow AI to assist in structuring your proposal, providing a framework that includes sections such as the research problem, objectives, literature review, methodology, and expected outcomes. AI can help organize your thoughts and create an outline that serves as the foundation for your proposal.
Critical Refinement and Development:
- Critically evaluate the AI-generated research questions and proposal structure. Refine the research questions to ensure they are clear, focused, and aligned with your research objectives.
- Expand on the AI-generated outline by adding detailed content to each section. This includes reviewing relevant literature, developing a clear methodology, and outlining the potential implications of your research. Ensure that the proposal reflects your own understanding and analysis of the social issue.
Writing the Final Research Proposal:
- Write your final research proposal (10-12 pages), ensuring that it is well-organized, clearly written, and supported by evidence. The proposal should include:
  - Introduction: An overview of the social issue, its relevance, and the purpose of your research.
  - Research Problem: A clear statement of the research problem or question you intend to address.
  - Objectives: The specific aims and objectives of your research, outlining what you hope to achieve.
  - Literature Review: A summary of existing research related to your topic, identifying gaps that your research will address.
  - Methodology: A detailed description of the research methods you will use to collect and analyze data.
  - Expected Outcomes: A discussion of the potential findings and their implications for understanding the social issue.
  - Conclusion: A brief summary of the proposal and the significance of your research.
Reflection and Documentation:
- Submit the AI-assisted outline alongside your final research proposal. Document how AI helped in the initial brainstorming and structuring stages, and explain the changes and additions you made to create the final proposal.
- Write a reflection (2-3 pages) discussing how AI influenced your planning process. Reflect on the benefits and limitations of using AI for research planning, including how you refined and expanded the AI-generated ideas independently.
Final Submission:
- Submit your complete research proposal, including all required sections, along with the AI-assisted outline and your reflective piece.
- Ensure that the proposal is well-organized, clearly written, and professionally presented, with appropriate citations where necessary.

Evaluation Criteria:

– Quality and Relevance of Research Proposal (35%): Demonstrating a thorough understanding of the chosen social issue, with a well-defined research problem, clear objectives, and a coherent research framework.

– Critical Engagement with AI Tools (25%): Effectively using AI to brainstorm and structure the research proposal, with a clear demonstration of how you refined and expanded AI-generated content.

– Clarity and Coherence of Proposal (20%): Presenting a well-organized and clearly articulated research proposal that effectively communicates your research plan and its significance.

– Reflection on AI Planning (15%): Providing insightful reflections on how AI assisted in the planning process, including how you modified and improved the AI-generated ideas.

– Writing and Presentation Quality (5%): Producing a professionally written and well-presented research proposal, with attention to clarity, formatting, and adherence to academic standards.

Support Resources:

– AI Tools and Software: Access to AI tools such as [specify tools, e.g., Zotero, Mendeley, Scite.ai] will be provided through the university’s sociology lab. Tutorials on using these tools for brainstorming and structuring research proposals will be available at the beginning of the assignment period.

– Workshops and Tutorials: Attend workshops focused on AI-assisted research planning, covering techniques for brainstorming research questions, structuring proposals, and refining AI-generated content.

– Office Hours: Schedule office hours with your instructor to discuss your research proposal topic, AI tool use, and strategies for refining and expanding AI-generated ideas.

– Library Resources: The university library offers access to sociology journals, research databases, and relevant literature. Librarians can assist you in finding sources and navigating AI tools for research planning.

– Peer Collaboration: Engage in peer review sessions where you can present your AI-assisted outline and receive feedback on how to refine and enhance your research proposal.

Academic Integrity:
Your final research proposal must reflect your original work, with AI tools used to support the brainstorming and structuring process. Misuse of AI to generate unoriginal content or failure to critically engage with AI-generated outputs will be considered a violation of academic integrity. All AI tools and methods used must be properly documented and critically assessed in your reflection.

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